Conveyer



Oct. 19 1926. l

Y L. n. NELSON oNvEYER Filed August 25, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 An m mA w.

Leu/6 D. IVelJo/z BY A TTORN'E Ys LlO liatented @et 19, 1926.

will in@ STATFS latdd earner ortica.

LE/YIS D. NELSCN, OF CQLDWATER, MICHIGAIT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOROBERT M. NEALE, QF UNION SIT?, VICIGAN.

CONVEYER.

Application filed August 23, 1924.

This invention relates to improvements in conveyors.

The main objects of this invention are:

First7 to .provide an improved conveyer which is Well adapted for theloading and unloading of cars and which may be readily set up or adaptedfor the particular requirement or conditions. Y

Second to provide an improved portable conveyor which may be `quicklyset up or disassembled and when set up is capable of carrving heavyloa-ds7 such as bags of cement or t like.

l@bjc-cts pertaining to details and economies of construction andoperation of my invent-ion will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow.

i accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invent-ion is clearlyillustrated in the acapplication, in which: Y

l is a fragmentary perspective view of a conveyer embodying the featuresof my invention.

0 Fig. Il is a fragmentary perspective view showing structural detailsof the conveyer units and the conveyor.

Fig. lll is a fragmentary perspective vieiv illustrating details of thecouplings for the conveyor units7 the coupling members at one side beingengaged and those at the other side separate.

Fig. lV is a fragmentary perspective view showing further details of theunit coupling.

Fig. V is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the drivingmeans.

Fig. Vl is a fragmentary perspective view of parts of the driving means.

Fig Vil is a fragmentary plan view showing the auxiliary conveyorsadjusted or connected to the-right hand side of the main unit. Y

*Figa* VH1 is a fragmentary plan View of a modified former embodiment ofmy invention.

inthe drawing similar reference `characters refer to similar parts inall of the views.

comnan ino" draivin' formin a art of this l b b Serial No. 733,776.

neferring to the drawing, l provide a main unit designated generally bythe numeral 1 and a plurality of auxiliary or supplementary unitsdesignated generally by the numeral 2. Only sui'licient of thesupplementary units are shoivn as are deemed necessary to show anembodiment and the use of my improvements. Y

The main unit 1 is mounted upon a truck 3 extended at one end to providea platform el, this platform having an upright frame 5 thereonconstituting a support for the suplemental units When not in erectedposition, thereby providing storage and transportation facilities.

The main and supplementary units are quite similar in structure, theterms main and supplementary being largely matters of convenience indescription.

The main unit is provided With side members 6 Tvhile the supplementaryunits have corresponding side members 7. Each unit has a carriercomprising carrier shafts, both carrier shafts 8 -of the main unit beingdriven shafts. The supplementary units have carrier shafts 9 and 10corresponding to the shaft-s 8 of the main unit, the shafts 9 beingdriven shafts.

The carrier shafts are provided with sprocket Wheels 11 disposed Withinthe side members of the units and carrying the sprocket chains 12 whichhave slats 13 secured thereon, the conveyer belt 14; being disposed overthese slats.

The main unit is provided With a. pair of driving shafts 15 disposed atthe sides and longitudinally thereof and connected to the povver shaft16 by Worm gears 17 and 18, the power shaft being connected to the motor19 mounted on the truck by means of the sprocket chain 20 arranged inthe housing 21.

The supplementary sections are provided With longitudinally disposeddriving shafts 22'carried by the bearings 23 and the gear boxes 24sWhich are provided with suitable bearings for the shafts.` At theoutside of the bearings 23 and the gear boxes 24 are coacting shaftcoupling members 25 and 26,

the coupling member 25 being adapted to enter the coupling member` 26and having a lug 27 adapted to coact with the lug 28 so that theseshaft-V couplings may be engaged by :a longitudinalvmovement and thereis little likelihood of the lugs interfering with the engagement.`

The units are provided with couplings, the couplings being mounted onthe ends of the side members, those at one side consisting of theknuckle coupling member 29 and the coacting pintle coupling memberhaving pintles or pivots 31 disposed vertically. The knuckle couplingmember 29 is provided at diagonally oppositel corners of the main unitand at the outer ends of one of the side members of the supplenientaryunits, the coupling members 30 being provided at the inner ends of oneof the side members of the supplementary unit. At the oppositeA side theunits are provided with telescoping couplings consisting of the saddlemembers 32 and the projecting lugs 38 adapted to enter the same. Latches34 pivoted at 35 engage the keepers 36 on the sides of the couplingmembers 3 2. Y

With the parts thus arranged the pintles 3l are engaged With thecoacting coupling member and the unit swung sidevvise engaging thecoupling members 32 and 33 and at the same time engaging the shaftcoupling members 25 and 26.

The shafts 22 are provided with Worms 37 enacting with theivorm gears 38on the carrier shafts 9, these parts being enclosed in the gear boxes24. The shafts 8 are 'provided with gears 38 coacting'ivith drivingWorms 39 on the shafts 15 in the same manner as Worm 37 and gear 38 inFig. VI. The shafts l5 are provided with clutch members 4.0, reactingclutch 41 being Vcontrolledby the shifting yoke 42. A second shiftingyoke 43 controls the clutch member lli which controls the connection tothe shaft 8'. The details ofthese clutchesare not illustrated as' Iemploy a Well-known type of jaw clutch satisfactorily. y

The shift lever 45 carries the pin 4:6 to which both these yokes areconnected.` This shift lever is connected by the link l? to the pin 4Gof a duplicate clutch mechanism for controlling the, connections for theother driving shaft of the main unit, the connections being arranged sothat when one is engaged the other `is disengaged, thereby providingmeans for driving. the conveyer `of the main unit in either direction,and also driving the shafts 22 of the supplementary units vvhen disposedat either end of the main unit, thereby permitting vthe arrange ment ofthe supplementary units for the loading or unloading of either end ofthe railvvay car or the like.

4The' main unit is preferably provided with sid boards' f8 'tvhichassist in Vretaining the articles thereon when throivn'uponthe con.-veyei ofthe main'iun'it orv when' discharged thereto. from a supply ordelivery 'c Onv'eyer.

In the modification s liovn in VIIIv the'main rinitis' arrangedto'discharge'fat right angles to a similar unit 49, the supplem'entaryunits 2 being associated with the unit e9 as has been described.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other modifications oradaptations of my improvements as I believe the disclosure made willenable those skilled in the -art to embody or adapt the same as may bedesired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is :w

1. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, a carrier for each unit comprising shafts disposedat the ends thereof so that When the units are assembled the carriersare brought end to endl both carrier shafts ofthe main unit and thecarrier shafts at the outer ends of the supplementary units being drivenshafts, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally at each side of saidmain unit and at one side of eachsupplementary unit and having drivingconnections to said driven carrier shafts, the said driving shafts beingprovided with telescoping male and female shaft coupling mem'y bershaving internal driving lugs whereby the same are engaged When the unitsare brought end to end, a power shaft on said main unit having drivingconnection With both of its said driving shafts, clutches for connectingsaid driving shafts of said main unit to said driven carrier shaftsthereof, clutches for connecting said main unit driving `shafts to saidsupplementary unit driving shafts, operating connections for saidclutches whereby the clutches associated with said driving shafts ofsaid main unit are alternately engaged and disengaged, and couplingmeans for said units.

2. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, ,a carrier for each unit comprising shafts disposedat the ends thereof so that when the units are assembled the carriersare brought end to end, both carrier shafts of the main unit and thecarrier shafts t Y the outer ends of the supplementary units beingdriven shafts, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally at each side ofsaid main unit and at one side of each supplementary unit and havingdriving connections to said driven carrier shafts, the said drivingshafts being provided with couplings engageable' when the units arebrought end to end, a power shaft on said main unit having drivingconnection with both of its said driving shafts, clutches for connectingsaid driving shafts of said main un'ittofsaid driven carrier shaftsthereof, clutches for connecting said main unit driving shaftstoV saidsupplementary unit drivingshafts. operating connections for Saidclutches whereby the clutches llO associated with said driving shafts ofsaid `main u nit are alternately engaged and disengaged, and Couplingmeans for said units.

3. In a eonveyer, the combination of a'main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, a carrier for each unit comprising shafts dispo-sedthe ends thereof so that when the. units are assembled the carriers arebrought end to end, both carrier shafts of the main unit and the Carriershafts at thefo'uter ends of the supplementary units `being drivenshafts and provided with driven worm gears, a driving shaft disposedlongitudinally at eaeh side of said main unit and at one side of eachsupplementary unit, said driving shafts being provided with drivingworms meshing with said driven gears on said driven Carrier shafts, thesaid driving shafts being provided with telesooping male and femaleshaft coupling members having internal driving lugs whereby the same areengaged when the units are brought end to end, driving means wherebyeither of said driving shafts of said main unit may be driven, andcoupling means for said units,

el. ln a eonveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, a carrier for each unit comprising shafts disposedat the ends thereof so that when the units are assembled the carriersare brought end to end, both carrier shafts of the main unit and thecarrier shafts at the outer ends of the supplementary units being drivenshafts and provided with driven worm gears, a driving shaft disposedlongitudinally at each side of said main unit and at one side of eachsupplementary unit, said driving shafts being provided with drivingworms meshing with said driven gears on said driven carrier shafts, thesaid driving shafts being provided with couplings engageable when theunits are brought end to end, driving means whereby either of saiddriving shafts of said main unit may be driven, and Coupling members forsaid units. y

5. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, each comprising side members, a

Carrier for each unit comprising shafts disposed at the ends of saidside members so that when the units are by the same are engaged when theunitsv are brought end to end, driving means whereby either of saiddriven shafts of said mainA unit may be driven, and coupling members forsaid unit side members, one of the Coupling members of eaeh unit beingprovided with a vertically disposed pivot and theother with couplingsengaged and disengaged by swinging the unit on said pivot Couplingthereof, said shaft Couplings being also engaged and disengaged by suchmovement.

6. In a eonveyer, the combination vof a rain unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units7 each comprising sideimemhers, a oarrier for eachunit comprising shafts disposedat the ends of said'side members so thatwhen the units are assembled the earriers are brought end to end, bothCarrier shafts of the main unit and one of the carrier shafts of thesupplementary units being driven shafts, a driving shaft dispose-fllongitudinally at each side of said main unit and at one side of saidsupplementary units, said driving shafts havingdrivingconnections withsaid drivenV carrier shafts and being provided with coupling membersengageable whenvthe units are brought end to end, driving means wherebyeither of said driven shafts of said main unit may be driven, andcoupling members for said unit side members, one of the coupling`members of each unit being provided with a vertically disposed pivot andthe other with couplings engaged and disengaged by swingingthe unit onsaid pivot eoupling.`

7. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, a carrier for each unit comprising shafts disposedat the ends of said units so that when the units are assembled thecarriers are brought end to end, both carrier shafts of the main unitand one of the earrier shafts of the supplementaryunits being drivenshafts, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally at each side of saidmain unit and at one side of said supplementary units, said drivingshafts having driving connections with said driven carrier shafts andbeing provided with teleseoping male and female shaft coupling membershaving internal driving lugs whereby the same are engaged when the unitsare brought end to end, driving means whereby either of said drivenshafts of said main unit may be driven, and couplings members for saidunits 8. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a pluralityof supplementaryy units, a carrier for each unit comprising shaftsdisposed at the ends of said units so that when the units are assembledthe oarriers are brought end to end, both Carrier shafts of the mainunit and one of the earrier shafts of the supplementary units beingdriven shafts, a driving shaft disposed longitudinally at each side ofsaid main unit and at one side of said supplementary units, said drivingshafts having driving connections with said driven carrier shafts Aandbeing provided with coupling members engageable when the units arebrought end to Yend, driving means whereby either of said driven shaftsof said main unit may be driven, and coupling members for said units.

9. In a conveyer, the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, a carrier for each unit, a driving shaft disposedlongitudinally at each side of said main unit and at one side of saidsupplementary units and o eratively connected to said carriers, saildshafts being arranged so that when the units are ar ranged end to endthe vunit carriers are brought end to end and being provided withcoupling members Vengageable when the units are brought end to end, andcoupling members for said units.

l0. In a conveyer the combination of a main unit and a plurality ofsupplementary units, each provided with carriers which are brought intocoacting relation when the units are assembled end to end, and unitcoupling membersmounted on the ends of said main unit, there beingcouplings at one side of each unit provided with vertically disposedpivots and couplings at the` other side provided with longitudinallytelescoping couplings whereby the pivot couplings may be engaged and theunits swung thereon to engage the telescoping couplings, the telescopingcbuplings being provided with latches.

11. In a conveyer the combination of a plurality of units, eachcomprising side members, a driving shaft at one side of each of saidunits, said driving shaft being provided with telescoping male and,female coupling members adapted to be engaged when the units are broughtend to end, and unit coupling members mounted on the ends of said unitside linembers, the couplings at one side of each unit being providedwith vertically disposed pivots and those at the other withlongitudinally telescoping couplings whereby the pvoted coupling may beengaged and the units swun thereon to engage the telescoping 'couplingsand said driving shaft couplings, the telescoping couplings beingprovided l with latches.

12. In a conveyer the combination of a pluraliy of units, eachcomprising side members, a driving shaft at one side of each of saidunits, said driving shaft being provided with telescoping male andfemale coupling members adapted to be engaged when the units are broughtend to end, and unit coupling members mounted on the ends of said unitside members, the couplings at one side of each unit being provided withvertically disposed pivots and those at the other with longitudinallytelescoping couplings whereby the pivoted coupling may be engaged andthe units swung thereon to engage the telescoping couplings and saiddriving shaft couplings.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LEWIS D. NELSON.

